philosophy

[Lemernis]

I thought of the Bhagavad Gita myself (although I guess the above must be from the Mahabarata? [img]smile.gif[/img] Buddhism has its roots in Hinduism.

[ 02-21-2002: Message edited by: Lemernis ]

[Katherine]

quote:

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Originally posted by Lemernis:
I thought of the Bhagavad Gita myself (although I guess the above must be from the Mahabarata? [img]smile.gif[/img] Buddhism has its roots in Hinduism.

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It's from the Gita when Arjuna was faltering before the host of his enemies, daring not start the war that would destroy many people he loved on both sides. The Gita is really one of my favorite books. While not a Hare Krishna type, I practice a more traditional hinduism (though my indian friends tell me I can't convert to hinduism- that I have to be born to it- ha!). Still the bhakti yoga that dominates the Gita is compelling, though I still prefer the jana yoga approach.

Yep, Siddhartha Gautama was a hindu reformer. It's interesting to see what he started and what it became. The mahayana way is really the dominate way now.

[David15]

I sort of have the same problems Green Bhudda mentioned. I'm a Christian, and i blieve there are two sources of supernatural power: God and the Devil. Thus I do not use any mages in my party or play as a mage.

[Lemernis]

Definitely don't want to mess with your religious convictions, David, and it is understood that you must do what you must do according to your highest principles and beliefs. [img]smile.gif[/img]

But remember, it is a fantasy universe which is not even set on this planet. Could not in your roleplay you have your mage draw his or her power from the one universal Godhead that is everywhere in existence, etc.? In the fantasy realm of Faerun, magic is not only possible, it is commonplace. On the fantasy planet of Abeir-Toril magic is a tool like any other and therefore it is used for either good or evil, like any other tool. Because a hammer can be used evilly does not mean you would not use a hammer, and so forth.

To translate the same issue to a RL moral dilemma, should devout Christians who were drafted on the Allies side in WWII not have fought against the Nazis because the bible says "Thou shalt not kill" and "Turn the other cheek...love thine enemies", etc. Well, anyway, food for thought. Follow your own spiritual compass of course.

[Lavindathar]

Yeah, C'mon David.

I respect your religious beliefs, but surely, that is bordering on stupid. Do you not play as Cleric's, as priest's in this life do not have spells?

Do you not play Rangers, as they use magic to "charm" animals?

It's a fantasy game dude, and I am a Catholic, so I know where you are comin from, even though I ain't that religious, but surely you should enjoy the game and use it as a chance to break away from RL?

*Note* - I aint dissin your beliefs or anything...

[Nim'ohtar]

Wow~ heavy subject.. ;p

*Though christian, i use magic frequently in games like bg, bg2. I see nothing wrong in finding any fascination in what is there, magic or what not. However, when you begin to doubt what you previously believe and then elevate something less important to a place equal or greater than it -you may have lossed your direction. =p

OOH! yes, reality is different than fantasy, and of all things a game. But again, indulging in violence while playing a game has some influence on your character as a person. Depending on your indulgence.. I find myself losing my train of thought. er blah =p

Coo~coo Ka~choo.

[ 02-24-2002: Message edited by: Nim'ohtar ]

[GreenBuddha]

Now Lavindathar, lets not call each other names! It is important that each person run every action and thought through their respective moral and spiritual beliefs. David, as well as myself and hopefully you, is merely doing that. I think the point of the whole exercise is to realize the paradoxical nature of human emotion vs. action and respect, or at least appreciate, the hypocritical elements in every persons day to day activities. There is no one right answer to the question that I posed, it merely was to engage people in the discussion. There are more conservative or liberal lines of thinking as well as idealistic vs. realistic or puritanical vs. utilitarian. Each of these overarching ways of looking at things has strengths and weaknesses. The focus for each person should be to strike a balance comfortable to themselves. That said, I personally feel a Christian should have more difficulty running a fighter than a mage, as was pointed out, since the fighter is more closely related to a real life quandary than a mage which can be purely fantastical. But my opinions on real life Christian quandaries are not for this board!!

[Lavindathar]

quote:

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Originally posted by GreenBuddha:
Now Lavindathar, lets not call each other names! It is important that each person run every action and thought through their respective moral and spiritual beliefs. David, as well as myself and hopefully you, is merely doing that. I think the point of the whole exercise is to realize the paradoxical nature of human emotion vs. action and respect, or at least appreciate, the hypocritical elements in every persons day to day activities. There is no one right answer to the question that I posed, it merely was to engage people in the discussion. There are more conservative or liberal lines of thinking as well as idealistic vs. realistic or puritanical vs. utilitarian. Each of these overarching ways of looking at things has strengths and weaknesses. The focus for each person should be to strike a balance comfortable to themselves. That said, I personally feel a Christian should have more difficulty running a fighter than a mage, as was pointed out, since the fighter is more closely related to a real life quandary than a mage which can be purely fantastical. But my opinions on real life Christian quandaries are not for this board!!

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Ok, you've confused the f**k out of me, and I'll answer the only bit I really understood. (All this Relgion/Phillosophical shit goes over my head ).

I did not call anyone a name, nor did I call their religious preference. Each to his own. I am a Roman Catholic, denomination of the Christian...so therefore I understand David's religion very, very well.

But I have never ever considered religion when playing a computer game, even when it is something like Resident Evil, Silent Hill, Baldurs Gate, Quake 3 or anything to do with killing/mauling people.

It is a game, and a game it should be played as. Just cos I enjoy choppin people's heads off and shootin them, doesn't mean I am going to do it/it have any influence on me as a person in real life. I just think your taking things to far, that's all.

Each to his own....and that is why I haven't criticised...